Answers to common questions

The restroom is generally opened by County workers in the early morning and then locked, after cleaning, in the evening. Occasionally, the restroom must be closed for maintenance. For further questions on maintenance, please contact the County of Hawaiʻi.

Approximately 80% of the Gardens are ADA accessible with wide, smooth concrete pathways. There is a ramp at the east torii. Most other entries to the garden connect directly to an exterior sidewalk. There are some stairs, a raised stone pathway, and gravel pathways in two sections of the gardens. In addition, high tides cover some pathways twice a day.

Yes, by obtaining a permit from the County of Hawai`i Parks & Recreation department and by paying appropriate fees. Contact P&R directly. Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens do not issue permits.

Dogs on leashes are allowed. There also is a requirement to clean up after one's dog.

The garden is named for Lydia Liliʻuokalani, Queen of Hawai`i from 1891 to her death 1917, who was born September 2, 1838, and died November 11, 1917. Her brother was King before her. King David Kalakaua encouraged the immigration of Japanese to Hawai`i to provide labor for the sugar industry. The monarchy was overthrown in 1893. The garden was named in Act 53 of the Territorial Legislature 1917, the act that set aside the original 17 acres for this public park.

A. Liliʻuokalani Gardens is a collection of parks on the Waiakea peninsula. The Japanese garden began in 1917 with 17 acres and expanded after several tsunami to slightly more than 20+ acres. Over the years other gardens were added: Mokuola (also known as Coconut Island) in 1933, Isles, and Rakuen (Happiness Park), and the meadow/Bicentennial Garden bringing the total to 24.67 acres.

Initial design by A.T. Yamamoto; subsequent expansions, restorations and improvements by Tiri Saiki, Kiyoshi Takano Nakamura, Nagao Sakurai, Kinsaku Nakane, Kazuo Nakamura, Katsuaki Nobukuni, Fred Nonaka, David Tamura, Leonard Bissel, Takuhiro Yamada, Hiromu Terashita (partial list)

Contact the County of Hawai`i Parks & Recreation Department for permits at (808) 961-8311.

Contact the County of Hawai`i Parks & Recreation Department for permits at (808) 961-8311.

According to County regulations bikes, scooters, or skateboards are not allowed in the park.

One lap around the exterior of Lili`uokalani Gardens is approximately 2,000 steps.

Crossing through the middle of the park from the east torii to the west, following the sidewalk around the interior shore of the pond, is approximately 1,000 steps.

From the parking lot of Mokuola across the pedestrian bridge, one lap around the island on the sidewalk, and back across the bridge to the parking lot is approximately 1,000 steps.

Waihonu, the pond at the heart of the gardens, is fed by the tides. High tide will cover some pathways due both to subsidence since the gardens were built more than 100 years ago and due to recent sea level rise.

Yes, the public is welcome to Waihonu to gather bait, which frequently is used across the street, fishing in the Bay. All State fishing regulations must be followed. Some fishermen teach their children to fish in the pond. Several decades ago, there was a fishing tournament. Friends are working to improve the health of the pond and to restock with more native fish.

No, please do not feed stray cats.

It is illegal to feed nene. Marine life in the pond do not thrive on bread or cooked rice. These materials can injure the fish and damage bioremediation efforts. We advise against feeding the fish in the pond. Please do not feed the mongoose colony.

No. Signs are posted. Lili`uokalani Gardens as well as other County parks is smoke free.

No, please do not climb trees for the safety of yourself and the trees.

Generally, no. The flowers are there for all to enjoy. If there is a certain plant you want, come on a Friends volunteer day. There may be plant starts that are being thinned out.

The park is open to the public for recreation and enjoyment. Organized sports such as baseball and soccer have fields dedicated to team use elsewhere in town.

No camping is allowed in Lili`uokalani Gardens. For a list of parks that do allow camping and to make a reservation, please contact the Hawai`i County Parks & Recreation office directly.

Generally, photographs and videos for personal use are allowed. If you are shooting for commercial purposes, please contact the Film Office in the Hawaiʻi County Research and Development Office for more information. Film Office in the Research and Development Department: (808) 961-8366

Additional sightseeing and recreation opportunities are available at Rakuen, Isles, and Mokuola, the other three parks nearby. Restaurants are available on the Waiakea peninsula. Sailing lessons sometimes happen at Reed's Bay. Bikes may be rented at two locations. Canoe regatta happen in Hilo Bay especially during the summer.